Today, the Eiffel Tower is Paris’s most beloved icon—but did you know Parisians once called it an 'eyesore'? When it was first built, many criticized its radical design, but over time, it won the world's heart. Now, it stands not just as a remarkable feat of engineering but as a global symbol of France.
Let's dive into its fascinating history, the challenges behind its construction, and how it became the defining landmark of Paris.
The idea for the Eiffel Tower was born in the late 19th century when France was preparing to host the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The goal? To showcase France’s industrial progress with an architectural masterpiece.
Gustave Eiffel, an acclaimed engineer known for his work on bridges and the internal structure of the Statue of Liberty, led the project. However, the original concept came from his engineers Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, who imagined a 300-meter iron tower—taller than anything ever built at the time.
Not everyone was convinced. Many thought a giant iron structure would be ugly, impractical, and even dangerous. Yet, with persistence, Eiffel and his team refined the design, adding decorative arches and securing government approval. The stage was set for an ambitious construction project that would test the limits of engineering.
And today, it welcomes millions to view Paris from the highest point, it's summit. Learn more.
On January 28, 1887, construction officially began on the Champ de Mars, near the Seine River. It was a daring project:
Although the tower was a technical marvel, its artistic appeal was widely debated. Many saw it as an industrial eyesore, an insult to the city’s classical beauty, calling it "a truly tragic street lamp," "a hole-riddled suppository," and "a ridiculous chimney."
In 1887, 300 prominent artists and writers, including Charles Garnier, Guy de Maupassant, and William Bouguereau, signed the “Protest Against the Tower of Monsieur Eiffel,” published in Le Temps, saying: “We protest... against the erection of this useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower... a ridiculous smokestack crushing Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe under its barbaric bulk.”
Eiffel dismissed the backlash, comparing his tower to the Egyptian pyramids:
“Why would something admirable in Egypt become hideous in Paris?”
Despite the uproar, the tower drew 2 million visitors during the World’s Fair. Some critics relented; others, like Maupassant, reportedly dined in the tower’s restaurant daily—because it was the only place in Paris where he didn’t have to see it.
By 1918, the Eiffel Tower had become a national symbol. Poet Guillaume Apollinaire even shaped a war poem into its silhouette.
Once branded a “monstrosity”, the tower ultimately outlived its critics, transforming into the defining emblem of Paris.
It's architecture is something that's being studied still today. Read all about it
Over the years, the Eiffel Tower evolved from an industrial wonder into a cultural symbol of romance, art, and innovation.
Gustave Eiffel once said, "I ought to be jealous of the tower. It is much more famous than I am." And indeed, over 130 years later, his creation remains one of the most enduring and beloved structures ever built.
The Eiffel Tower symbolizes industrial innovation, commemorating the centennial of the French Revolution, and showcases France's 19th-century engineering brilliance.
The Eiffel Tower was designed as a centerpiece for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair), celebrating the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution and showcasing France’s engineering prowess.
Many Parisians, especially artists and writers, saw it as an industrial monstrosity. A group of 300 critics, including Guy de Maupassant and Charles Garnier, protested its construction, calling it a "useless and monstrous tower."
Yes! The Eiffel Tower Exhibition in the first-floor museum features historical blueprints, Gustave Eiffel’s notes, and even original iron parts from its construction.
Yes! Eiffel built a private apartment on the third level, furnished with wooden cabinets, a piano, and even a lab for experiments. Today, visitors can see a recreation of the space with wax figures of Eiffel and Thomas Edison.
Absolutely! Guided tours reveal hidden details, such as its original color, early criticisms, and wartime roles, making the experience far richer than a self-guided visit.
Its iron lattice structure proved that tall buildings could be lightweight yet stable, paving the way for steel-frame skyscrapers like the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building.
No! The tower was originally reddish-brown, later repainted yellow, and now wears its signature "Eiffel Tower Brown" in three shades for depth. It also had different lighting styles over the decades.
Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Elevator: Summit or Second Floor
Eiffel Tower Elevator Tickets with Host to Summit or Second Floor
Combo: Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Elevator with Seine River Cruise
Dinner at Eiffel Tower's Madame Brasserie
